A.N.: hey readers! Thanks for sticking with the story! I hope to finish it one day… it might take a while being that I've told my friend I was going to stop writing it. I think I might take a sabbatical for this story… I sort of reached chapter 18 and stopped. I mean I can always go on, but I originally was going to make this a tohru kyo fic, with just a little bit of yuki and haru on the side. But, as it turns out, yuki and haru are very interesting… and I don't know how to connect the story as it is now, to where I want the story to be. Oh well, Happy reading, and thanks for the reviews! --CJD
Disclaimer: This story is 100 mine, but the characters and curse belong to the creator of Fruits Basket.
Chapter 10
The next morning Kyo woke up at his regular time, as did Tohru. She checked to see if Shigure was sleeping in his room. When he wasn't, she figured he wouldn't be back for breakfast, but made some for him and left it in the refrigerator so he could heat it up. Kyo came in just in time for breakfast and gave Tohru a sweet good morning kiss. They ate, got dressed and left for school.
The Prince Yuki Fan club watched them walk to school and was very relieved to see them holding hands. "The threat of Tohru Honda is over!" they shouted happily, but were still sad to see he wasn't with him.
"Man, whatever he has must be really bad! He's never been out this long before!" Minami, new president of the Prince Yuki Fan club, said. The girls were all in tears, but could not boycott school just because their Prince was absent.
Tohru and Kyo greeted the gang at their lockers and went to class. At lunch, the fan club girls were finishing their gigantic get well card for Yuki and approached Tohru, wary of Hana. They gave her weird looks, but remembered their reason for going to the table. They held out the giant card for Yuki in front of Tohru. She was startled at this, and was puzzled.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kyo asked, slightly menacingly, scaring the girls. "This is for Prince Yuki. We know Tohru is close to him, so we want her to give it to him." Minami said.
"Oh no, um, well, we aren't talking right now." Tohru said. "What?!" Minami asked, her hopes and dreams coming true. Were they really not friends anymore?
"Tohru, you remember I talked to him yesterday right? He wanted to talk to you. I don't think he's mad at you anymore. I told him to be mad at me."
"Is it even possible for him to hate you more than he already does?" Uo asked.
"Oh, well, sure Minami. We'll be going to visit him this afternoon, so sure. I'll give him your card." Tohru said, taking the card. Minami was quite curious now. "So where is he? He's not in a hospital, we checked. But his illness is bad enough for him to miss this much school. Spill! Where is the Prince? We want to visit him too!" Minami asked in an interrogative tone.
"Well, I don't know how much I can say. He got hurt over the weekend and he's with the family doctor. Doctor Sohma is taking very good care of him." Tohru said, hoping this was enough for the fan club. "Well, can we visit him?" Another girl asked.
"No, you can't there are only a few select members of the family who are even allowed in those gates. Those who live there, those who are in the immediate family, and select members." Kyo said. He couldn't say "those in the Zodiac." Minami kept asking questions. "So then why does Tohru get to go?" "She's a select member! Why the hell does this interest you so much anyway!?" He was getting irritated now. He wanted all of the girls to go and leave them alone.
"Yuki will be back soon enough. That's basically all you need to know. Now please, don't make me sick Hana on you. She's dying to try out a new curse she learned." Uo said. The fan club girls were freaked out by this, and ran for the hills.
"Damn they were nosy!" Kyo said, annoyed. "Thanks for sticking up for me, Kyo. I think I bit off more than I could chew. They really wanted to know everything." Tohru said. "Its okay Tohru. They really were annoying though. Every once and a while, its good to just tell someone to shove it." Kyo said, and finished his lunch. "Well, I guess I better get Yuki's homework and presidential notices and stuff before we go see him, then." Tohru said.
The rest of the day was uneventful. They got evil looks from Minami and her gang, until Hana scared them off. Kyo, Tohru and Momiji walked to the main house after school. Momiji was a little jealous of Tohru's affections for Kyo, but she saw this and held his hand too. They all walked smiling. Momiji had to bring Haru his homework everyday, because Haru refused to leave Yuki alone for the whole day.
They got to Yuki's room, and Kyo decided to stay out on the deck while they said their greetings. Yuki was looking better, but not his best. There were a few books, actually a lot of books, lying on the floor, on the bed, on the nightstand. Haru was sitting on Yuki's bed, back against the wall. "Haru! Haru! I have your homework!" Momiji yelled, running in. Tohru stayed by the door, and Yuki saw her. Haru noticed her too and said, "C'mon runt, you and I can go work on our homework for a while." He dragged the whining blonde out of the room.
"Miss Honda, please, come in." Yuki tried to smile. "Hi Yuki. Um, You look good." Tohru said, stepping in and shutting the door. She put on the best smile she could and Yuki motioned for her to take a seat. "I heard you had a fever. I'm glad to see you are feeling better." "Oh, Yuki, Minami asked me to give this to you." Tohru said, handing him the giant card. "I also got your homework and your student council notes." She handed the pile to Yuki. "Oh wow, how very nice of you Miss Honda. I'm sure you went through a lot of trouble. You really didn't have-" "Oh no Yuki, it was no trouble at all, really. Everyone was really eager to help. They all wanted you to feel better. They really miss you. Everyone misses you." She said, beginning to feel guilty.
"Miss Honda, I – I don't want you to feel responsible for what happened. It's not your fault." He said. There was no more lying through a fake smile. "I was upset, but I could never be mad at you. I was taken by surprise, and I was mad at the situation and myself. I don't know how it ever got to this. I can't believe I said such terrible things to you Miss Honda. I'm so sorry, could you ever forgive me?" He asked, tears forming in his eyes. If she didn't forgive him, he'd never be able to move on and heal his broken heart.
"Oh Yuki, I'm the one who should be sorry. It wasn't right what I did. I never meant to hurt you." She sobbed. "Here's an idea Miss Honda. I'll forgive you if you forgive me, okay? This way we'll save each other from all of the meaningless apologies. So I forgive you." Yuki said. "Well, then I forgive you Yuki." Tohru said, still crying her eyes out.
"Miss Honda, I wanted to tell you that what I said to you, all that mean stuff, I didn't mean it. Everything was one big surprise, and I didn't expect it, and I was in pain and confused, and I wanted to get out of there. I could never blame you. There isn't anything that would make me mad at you. Not even you and Kyo. As long as you are happy, I am happy, okay?" He smiled and tried to make Tohru feel better.
"Yuki, are you sure? It is my fault-" "Nothing is your fault, and no buts about it." He said. "So we're back to normal again?" She asked. "Yes! I wouldn't have it any other way. Now tell me, how's school? How is everyone?" Yuki asked, eager for outside news. "Wait! I'll answer that later. How are you? I haven't seen you since the accident. How have you been? I know Haru has been with you, but how are you injuries? What are your injuries? Hatori didn't tell me anything." She asked, now happy she could be on friendlier terms. Everything came out at once. She had been worried about Yuki for a very long time. He was like a brother to her. She didn't want to lose him, physically or emotionally.
"Oh gosh, I don't want to upset you. It really sounds worse and looks worse than it is. I have a couple of broken ribs, and a lot of bruises." He said, trying to make it sound less gruesome. She still cringed. She'd cringe if he said he got a paper cut. Just the thought of Yuki being hurt was more than she could stand. The fact that she had something to do with it, even thought Yuki says otherwise, made her feel a thousand times worse.
"I'm healing fast, and Hatori gives me stuff for the pain. I mean he causes pain when he cleans and re-bandages me, but I guess if I put up with it, I'll get better faster, and I'll be back in school in no time." He realized his efforts to make Tohru feel better were not working. They were making her feel worse, so he decided to change the subject.
"So, how are things going with you?" He asked. "Oh Yuki, well I'm glad you are feeling better. I had a fever because of that storm, but Kyo nursed me back to health. "I'm sorry I didn't come and see you, but I wasn't in a very good condition, and I didn't want to make you worry. I'm so sorry for doing this to you Miss Honda. I feel terrible. You got sick and you had to miss school. The whole time you felt awful about what I said to you, and you only wanted me to get better. I was stupid and jealous, and for that I apologize." Yuki turned his head to hide the shame. Somehow he tried to change the topic and did for a minute, but he just had to get everything off of his chest. After that he'd be able to start a new slate, turn over a new leaf.
"Yuki, please don't apologize. You have every right to be mad. You had every right to act the way you did. Now, the past is over. What is done is done. Lets just move on from here." This whole conversation was not moving, so Tohru decided to give it a shove in the right direction. Yuki looked up and saw how serious she was. She felt the same way as he did. She felt stupid and a little angry, and ashamed. "Okay. Thanks for that." He smiled and blushed a little.
"Wait, I just have one more thing I have to say." Tohru looked a little worried, but Yuki gave her a reassuring smile. "Actually two things. First, I want you to know that I'm happy for you. It's good that you've fallen in love. I don't mind if it's Kyo, just as long as you're happy." She smiled and the tears in her eyes made it apparent she was.
"Secondly, I feel like you are my sister. You are more than a best friend to me you are my family. I love you, but as a brother loves his sister, not like Kyo loves you." He laughed, and the tears in Tohru's eyes really started to fall.
"Yuki thank you so much for everything you have ever given me. Of course I love you too. You are my family too. You have always been there for me. Thank you so much for that. I hope that one day, you find someone who loves you like I love Kyo. I know you will." Yuki smiled and picked up the giant card from the Prince Yuki Fan club.
"Moving on. Lets see, I don't know how so many girls can give me so much attention. The amount of girls in that club has doubled since the beginning of the new school year." Yuki said, and Tohru's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way! Minami really wanted to know everything about you today. She wouldn't stop asking me about where you were and what happened to you."
"I hope that didn't cause you too much trouble. Maybe I should just get a cell phone so they can ask me instead of you. Well, no. I don't need a cell phone because I don't plan on being here again. I'm still sorry though." He said, reading the little notes on the big card. They read things like, "Prince Yuki, Please get well soon so we can see your beautiful face in school soon! Love, #2!" And so on.
Yuki and Tohru sat talking for another hour, about school, about everything. For a while they tried to figure out what Shigure had been doing with his extra time. He wasn't dodging any deadlines because Mine hadn't been at the house. Some of their questions were answered when they heard Kyo yelling, "Shigure, what the hell are you doing here?" The question was answered by none other than the one person Yuki did not want to see, for fear of further injury, his older brother, the snake of the zodiac, Ayame Sohma.
"Relax Kyokichi kun! I'm here to see my unfortunate little brother! Life has been unfair and I haven't been able to see him until now, so fear not!" The door burst open. "Big brother is here!" Ayame came twirling into the room, his long hair following suit. "I hope you aren't talking about me, Aya. I am the one who told you about Yuki after all." Shigure pouted. Tohru stood to greet them and offered to wait outside while they visited. Yuki was upset to see her leave, but she assured him she'd be there in an instant if he needed her. Yuki reluctantly agreed, and told Ayame not to stay long, for he needed his rest.
Tohru stepped outside, and shut the door so Yuki and his guests could have their privacy. She was very happy that they were best friends again. Now they were even closer than before because they had a bond of love. It wasn't love like what she had with Kyo. It was a love that only she could share with Yuki. There was an unspoken trust and friendship, and they both knew that they would be friends and family forever. This was also true because she had fallen in love with a member of the Sohma family. Perhaps one day, her name would be Sohma as well.
She was taken out of her deep thoughts when Kyo took hold of her hand and placed a kiss on her cheek. He kept his face close to hers and whispered sweet nothings in her ear, making her blush. She might be in love, but this was really new to her. It was new to Kyo too, so they were both making things up as they went along.
"I hate this curse. I want to hold you so badly but I'll transform into a cat. I'd give anything to hold you for longer than a second." Kyo said in an aggravated tone. "It's okay Kyo. I don't mind it. I'm sure there are ways around it, but for now, can we sit and hold hands and I hope we can lean on each other." Kyo nodded, and they sat with their feet hanging off of the deck. They held hands and Tohru leaned on his shoulder. Kyo leaned his head on hers, and they sat calmly for about ten minutes until POOF!
Tohru had drifted off to sleep, and her head fell forward too far, and Kyo transformed. The sound didn't wake her, but she slumped over and lay sleeping. The bright orange cat gave in and was too relaxed to get worked up over an accident. Tohru was so warm, so he curled up against her stomach, and feel asleep also.
Another ten minutes had passed before Ayame and Shigure left Yuki's room. They found the adorable couple, and didn't want to disturb them. Yuki got up and slowly walked down to Haru's room. He didn't want to disturb Tohru, so he figured he'd tell Haru he was done with guests for the time being.
Yuki found it a little easier to walk now, and didn't flinch every time he twisted. This was surely a sign he was getting better. Hatori said the stitches would be coming out soon, and that everything was healing nicely. Maybe he'd be able to attend school next Friday. That is if Hatori gave him the ok.
Yuki's onlooker wondered why the injured boy was out of bed, and by himself. He'd talk to someone about that later. Maybe he'd even visit Yuki himself. Then again, Yuki was petrified even when he heard the onlooker's name. The three deadliest syllables that could ever be spoken were Akito. "I'll visit him before he leaves." The head of the family said to his little bird.
Yuki knocked and opened the door to Haru's room. He heard Momiji's enthusiastic voice, and hoped he wouldn't do anything that would cause him pain. Before Yuki even got a word out, Haru jumped up. "Yuki! What are you doing out of bed?! Please don't tell me-you're alone?! Yuki you should know better! What if something happened?! You could have made your injuries wor-" "Haru! I understand. I felt good enough to walk on my own. I'm okay. I feel fine. Do you really think I'd take a walk if I knew I was going to collapse?" Yuki asked, trying to calm Haru down. He might be worried, but this was almost motherly.
"Momiji, would you mind accompanying me and Haru back to my room? You can finish whatever homework or conversation there." Yuki asked, knowing that Haru would desert the poor rabbit. Yuki didn't want him to feel left out. Besides, Yuki had Haru every other minute of the day because Haru wanted to be there.
The three of them made their way back to Yuki's room. The Prince was still shocked that he made it through twenty whole minutes of Shigure and Ayame both. It was even more amazing that he really felt good. His nightmares had stopped and aside from feeling better, he felt amazingly calm and relaxed. 'It must have been Tohru.' He thought. He was still smiling to himself about how that went. He might have lost her as a girlfriend, but he gained her as a sister. It was like all weights had been lifted from his shoulders. He could start over now, without giving Tohru up. Yuki wasn't stuck in the hopeless situation of not being able to tell her how he felt. He didn't have to do that anymore, which was good. Yuki Sohma would soon follow Tohru's influence, and fall in love. With whom, he didn't yet know.
"Yuki, are you sure you're all right?" Haru asked, concern written all over his face. "Yeah, I'm really good. I think I could fly if I wanted to, but right now I'm not going to try." He smiled, receiving one each from both Haru and Momiji. Life was certainly looking up for the once lost soul.